Melbourne Elder Law Lawyers

Attorney Cheryl Ward will meet your legal needs and exceed your expectations. Mrs. Ward is a Florida Bar licensed attorney practicing throughout the state of Florida. It is her mantra that client satisfaction comes first.

Social Security Disability and Retirement, Estate Planning, Elder Law, Veterans Benefits. Krista L. Rush is a seasoned attorney representing clients for over twenty years in Brevard County, including Melbourne, Palm Bay, Rockledge and Titusville. We love helping individuals and families of all ages and all backgrounds. Come see why working with an attorney one on one makes a difference!

Amy B. Van Fossen established The Law Office of Amy B. Van Fossen P.A. (formerly The Law Office of Amy B. Jackson P.A.) in 2004. Amy was born and raised in southeastern Ohio and has two daughters, Katie and Savannah, who both share her passion for our elder community. Savannah provides medical care to the elder community as an RN. Katie is a second-generation attorney, chairing the Probate, Medicaid & VA departments at the Law Office of Amy B. Van Fossen, P.A. Ms. Van Fossen received her undergraduate degree in Organizational Behavior from Rollins College and earned her JD from Barry...

Attorney Ruth Rhodes is the owner of Rhodes Law, P.A., a Helping Seniors of Brevard Board Member, and a resident business at One Senior Place. Ruth C. Rhodes and Rhodes Law, P.A. help individuals and families with all areas of Elder Law, which includes, but not limited to, Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Guardianship, Probate and Trust Administration, and Medicaid Planning.

She graduated Valedictorian from the College of Law at Florida A&M University, and has more than 20 years of experience working in the legal field with more than 12 years as a practicing attorney.

Ms. Rhodes understands...

Tyler Puttick joined the law firm of Rossway Swan in 2018 and practices in the areas of real estate law, probate and trust administration, estate planning and general corporate law. Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Puttick served as a Law Clerk for the Firm in 2013 and later practiced at a boutique firm serving clients on the Treasure and Space Coasts.

Mr. Puttick earned his Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University College of Law, where he was a member of the selective Elder Law Concentration Program and the Elder Law Society. He received a Certificate of Concentration in Elder Law...

Jessica practices as an attorney in the areas of Estate Planning, Trust Administration, Probate Administration and Elder Law. In addition, Jessica is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified County Mediator. Prior to starting her own firm, Law Office of Jessica Lynn Silva, PLLC, Jessica was an Associate Attorney with Panouses Law Group.

Before practicing law, Jessica garnered legal experience through her previous roles as Judicial Assistant to Brevard County Judge David E. Silverman for four years, and as a Civil Litigation Paralegal, Real Estate Paralegal, Certified Notary Signing Agent, Real Estate Agent, Florida Mortgage Broker, Real Estate...

Robin Petersen is the Founder and Managing Partner of the Estate Planning & Elder Law Center of Brevard, which has been serving Brevard County since 1991. The practice focuses exclusively in the areas of Estate Planning and Elder Law, Wills and Trusts, Probate and Trust Administration (representing the executor or trustee, as well as serving as the executor or trustee of the estate), Guardianship, planning for long term care costs through asset protection, the use of VA Aid & Attendance, and Medicaid benefit options. Because he has dedicated over 25 years of practice to these types of law, Robin understands...

Cassidy V. Petersen initially joined the firm in 2011 and has held various positions over the years – beginning as a receptionist, next as an estate planning paralegal, then as our firm administrator, and now as an attorney. Ms. Petersen focuses her practice in estate planning, business succession planning, probate, trust administration, Medicaid planning, VA planning, guardianship, and special needs planning.

Ms. Petersen, a Melbourne native, graduated from Melbourne High School in 2011. She earned her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business Management, graduating cum laude, from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2014. Ms. Petersen received her Juris Doctor (J.D.), cum...

Karen Harkness Houser is an attorney with the Central Florida law firm of Bogin, Munns & Munns, operating out of the firm's Melbourne office. She specializes in Commercial & Residential Real Estate, Corporate Law, Estate Planning, and Elder Law.

She graduated from Virginia Tech with her B.S. in 1981 and received her J.D. from the St. Thomas University School of Law in 1991. In 1992, Ms. Houser earned her LL.M in Taxation from the esteemed College of William and Mary.

She has handled numerous cases including Office, Warehouse, Shopping Center & Hotel Projects, Acquisition & Disposition of Raw Land, Construction...

Peggy is a founding partner of The Law Offices of Hoyt & Bryan, a family wealth and legacy planning law firm specializing in wills, trusts and estates and elder law. She is a three-time Stetson University graduate receiving her B.B.A., cum laude, in 1981, her M.B.A. in 1982 and her J.D., cum laude, in 1993. Her passion is her pets - all of them - including 4 horses, 6 dogs and 2 cats! She enjoys long distance trail riding on Heaven and Vogue. Peggy practices in the areas of family wealth and legacy counselling, including trust and estate planning...

David Pilcher is an attorney for the Central Florida law firm of Bogin, Munns & Munns. He specializes in Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Guardianship, Business Entity Formation, Business Law, Commercial Litigation, and Civil Litigation.

He is a native to Florida, born in Orlando and raised in Sanford. He attended Brigham Young University on a full academic scholarship, receiving his B.S degree in Computer Science.

He worked for large companies including IBM before deciding on a career in law. David Pilcher returned to Brigham Young University (once again on scholarship) to its J. Reuben Clark Law School...

S.I. "Sandy" Valbh is an Of Counsel attorney for the Central Florida law firm of Bogin, Munns & Munns. He practices Business Law, Estate Planning & Probate Law, Tax Law, Civil Litigation, and Commercial Litigation.

He received his B.S. from Florida State University, double-majoring in Finance and Accounting (1994). He earned his J.D. from Drake University College of Law (graduating With Honors in 1997) and his LL.M. from the Georgetown University Law Center (graduating With Distinction in 1998).

Mr. Valbh assists with Estate and Trust Administration, Business and Commercial Transactions, Corporate and Partnership Tax Planning, and representation before the Internal...

I have worked for Finra, a financial regulator; LeClairRyan; and the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia. I have been recognized as a Technology Litigation Fellow by the Center for Legal and Court Technology, in Williamsburg, Virginia and was selected to participate in the Center’s annual lab trial. I focus on corporate law and estate planning for the small business owner. During my time at Finra, I worked in Registration and Disclosure, developing policies relating to past criminal sanctions, as well as assisting in decisions regarding expungment of customer complaints against registered brokers. While at LeClairRyan, I...

Carolyn Butler Norton, Board Certified Elder Law Attorney, works passionately as an advocate for the senior population and their families. Ms. Norton believes that the practice of Elder Law should be comprehensive, focusing on a Life Care Planning Approach. She works closely with her clients, educating and assisting them with long-term care planning options including asset protection, healthcare and financial choices, and end of life decisions.
Recognizing the particular needs of the Treasure Coast population, attorney Norton limits her practice to the areas of elder law, estate planning, wills and trusts, special needs trusts, guardianship, Veterans Aid & Attendance,...

Beginning with his practice focused on real estate, commercial litigation, banking, and international law, Attorney Brian N. Mark expanded his practice to business and personal injury law as well. Attorney Mark is dedicated to serving his clients with upfront and honest representation and takes the time to guide his clients through every step of the case, detail by detail. Due to his passion for law, he has received bar admission from Florida, the U.S. Districts Court Southern District of Florida, and the U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida. Prior to his career as an attorney, Attorney Mark attended...

Anamaria Taitt earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida and her law degree from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. She lives in Central Florida and serves clients from throughout the Orlando area and the state of Florida.

She decided to specialize in Estate Planning and Family Law because it was an area of practice where she could help families across a wide range of legal needs.

“I saw a substantial need for these services in the Central Florida area,” Ana says. “Florida is already one of the most highly populated states in the nation, and because we’re growing so...

Wendy A. Mara attended Stetson University and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1993 Ms. Mara taught language arts in high school for 13 years. While teaching full time, she earned her MBA degree from the University of Central Florida in 2006. Deciding to pursue a legal career, she entered law school at Florida Coastal School of Law where she graduated in the top 10 percent of her class. While in law school, she was a teaching and research assistant, earned the Dean’s Certificate for Pro Bono Work and became an award winning oralist for the Jessup International Moot Court Competition....

Aubrey Harry Ducker Jr. is a who has had years of accomplishments in the legal field. He has taken an interest in elder law after caring for his own grandmother and parents-in-law. Mr. Ducker has the first-hand experience in dealing with the stresses and anxieties that accompany deciding how to live the rest of one’s “golden years”. Attorney Aubrey Harry Ducker Jr. knows that adult children have to deal with this rite of passage. This involves specific stresses when making decisions for a parent or parents incapacitated by serious illnesses.

As a Family Law Attorney, Aubrey Harry Ducker Jr. takes...

“As an Assistant State Attorney, I spent years in the courtroom prosecuting those who took financial advantage of senior citizens. While it was incredibly rewarding to see justice served, I always wished I could have done something to help prevent the exploitation in the first place. Now, as an elder law attorney, I help my clients strategize and plan the best way to protect their assets from theft and fraud."

Kathryn N. Lewis earned her bachelor’s degree in 2004 from the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University and her juris doctorate, cum laude, from Stetson University...

“Assisting family members in disputes relative to the estates and trusts of their loved ones is rewarding. I provide clients with skilled representation in alternate dispute processes such as mediation, and in trial. Being part of a multidisciplinary team is essential in meeting the needs of our clients.”

Mr. Mighdoll is a 1973 graduate of the State University of New York at Stony Brook and received his Juris Doctor from the New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts in 1976. From 1976 to 1979, he served as an assistant public defender in Miami and West Palm Beach. Mr. Mighdoll was...

A 1982 graduate of St. John’s University School of Law, Mr. Kitroser worked as an associate in a real estate practice and in civil litigation before taking a position as confidential law clerk for New York State Supreme Court Justice Richard A. Goldberg. He relocated to Palm Beach County in 1995, accepting a position as Assistant State Attorney with the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s office. Mitchell Kitroser chose to focus his law practice on providing legal services geared to the specialized needs of today’s family. Mr. Kitroser is a member of the Florida Bar, the Palm Beach County Bar Association,...

Matthew C. Shapiro is a seasoned attorney concentrating in wills, trusts, estates, and civil litigation. Mr. Shapiro graduated with honors from Florida International University, ranking in the top ten of his class. His distinguished academic background laid a strong foundation for his legal career, where he has consistently demonstrated expertise and excellence. During his career, Mr. Shapiro has provided comprehensive estate planning services to thousands of clients, expertly drafting crucial documents such as revocable living trusts of varying complexities, wills, powers of attorney, health care surrogates, living wills, enhanced life estate deeds, trust amendments, and codicils. Having served as the lead or...

Katherine Barski is an associate attorney with the Central Florida law firm of Bogin, Munns & Munns. Her primary areas of practice are Estate planning, Probate, Litigation, Elder Law, and Real Estate. She received her M.B.A. from Nova Southeastern University (1993) and her J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans School of Law (1996). Ms. Barski has held the distinction of SuperLawyer since 2016.

I am a Florida Bar certified and nationally certified elder law attorney and the founder of The Karp Law Firm, with three Florida offices in Palm Beach Gardens, Boynton Beach and Port St. Lucie. My mission is to allay clients' fears and give them peace of mind with effective planning. No one can know the future, but we can prepare for whatever the future holds.

I can help with these issues:
Obtain Medicaid and/or V.A. benefits for clients facing the exorbitant cost of long-term nursing home care. Assets can often be preserved even if a loved one is already...

Providing expectional service to discerning clients in Central Florida for over 25 years in probate and estate planning matters, Astrid de Parry has extensive civil trial practice experience representing a broad range of interests. Upon graduating from Cornell University Law School in 1977, Ms. de Parry served as Assistant University Counsel for Cornell University from 1977 to 1980. Thereafter, she served as General Counsel for the University of Alaska Statewide System of Higher Education from 1980 to 1985. After moving to Florida in 1985, Astrid de Parry went to work for a large law firm in Orlando, focusing on...

Attorney Billy Brown specializes in the areas of commercial, business, corporate, real estate, timeshare, bankruptcy, and elder law. As a previous owner and consultant of businesses such as restaurants, medical offices, and internet companies, Attorney Brown understands the various needs of business entrepreneurs. Through his years of experience, he has witnessed many individuals face financial hardships due to numerous causes. Passionate about helping others, Attorney Brown committed his life to help those in need of legal representation. Prior to employment as a skilled lawyer, Attorney Brown began his pursuit when he attended the University of Central Florida. It...

Clay was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. He received his Bachelor of Science from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida in 2010. He then worked in the Orlando area and began law school the next year at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Orlando where he received his Juris Doctorate degree in 2014. He enjoys learning about the world around him and spending time doing outdoor activities. Coming from a large family, he is very passionate about helping others through his legal services.

I am a Board Certified Elder Law attorney practicing primarily in the areas of Estate Planning, Medicaid Asset Protection, Probate, Guardianship, Family Law, and Bankruptcy. These are all areas which affect senior citizens. I have 3 locations to best serve my clients: The Villages, Orlando, and Volusia County, FL

Before becoming an attorney, I spent 7 years in the insurance and financial services industry. I became frustrated with the fact my “client” was not the person I was selling insurance or financial services to but was instead the company for which I worked. I decided to become a lawyer because the client – the person I represent – is the one to whom I owe my loyalty. From the moment I entered law school I knew I wanted to practice estate planning and related areas of law because they were directly related to my prior work experience;...

LAWRENCE O. HELD is an associate attorney with Kitroser & Associates. Mr. Held is a 2017 graduate from the University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law. Prior to law school, he attended Florida International University where he obtained a Bachelors in History and a Masters in Latin American and Caribbean Studies.

Born and raised in Miami-Dade County, Mr. Held is a Cuban-American South Florida native. He has both complex litigation and transactional experience. He has previously interned with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with both the Enforcement Division and the Office of Compliance, Inspections, and Examinations, where he worked...

Nicole Hewitt specializes in Estate Planning and Administration, Elder Law, Special Needs Planning, Business Planning, and Real Estate Transactions, with a particular focus on tax implications. She provides expert legal guidance to individuals, business owners, young families, retirees, and the elderly, helping them achieve their estate, tax, and medical assistance planning goals. Additionally, Nicole has extensive experience working with individuals and families with special needs, including the establishment of trusts and adult guardianships. Before co-founding HWK Law Group, Nicole built a robust career that included roles as a senior tax associate with two Big 5 accounting firms, an associate at a...

Elder Law, Estate Planning & Medicaid Planning Attorney Amy Dow is an attorney focusing on the areas of elder law and estate planning. Amy has more than 25 years of professional experience including practicing law, counseling, teaching and community service. Amy calls South Florida home but hails from New York. Counseling and Law Background With degrees in both law and counseling, Amy brings particular insight and sensitivity when meeting with clients and their families. Amy earned her Law Degree from Boston College Law School, and received a Master's Degree in Counseling Studies from Palm Beach Atlantic University. Her Bachelor’s Degree is from the...

Mr. Persad has worked in the legal profession for over 20 years. He is licensed to practice law in Florida, the United States Virgin Islands, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and before the U.S. Supreme Court. He earned his Juris Doctor degree and his Masters in Public Administration degree from the University of Akron in 1993 and 1994, respectively. He also holds a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration from the University of the Virgin Islands and a diploma in paralegal studies from New York University. Mr. Persad's experience in the legal field...